An Efficient Pyrrole Synthesis via Silaphenylmercuric Triflate Catalyzed Cyclization of Homopropargyl Azides

A mixture of phenylmercuric acetate and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid or silica gel supported phenylmercuric tri­fluoromethanesulfonate (silaphenyl mercuric triflate) efficiently catalyzed the formation of pyrroles from homopropargyl azide derivatives. The reactions proceed using 20 mol% of the heterogeneous catalyst with yields of isolated pyrroles ranging from 74% to 99%.